MILLIE Klingbeil has held off fellow midfielder Lily Goss in what was an extremely close vote count to be crowned Carlton’s VFLW best and fairest for 2022.
Klingbeil accumulated 100 votes over the course of 14 games, with her strong clearance work and ability to hit the scoreboard allowing the gun midfielder to be a huge contributor for the Blues.
Polling in every game this season, it was Klingbeil’s consistency that ensured she’d walk away with the honours.
Coach Tom Stafford believes that it was the work that Klingbeil put in over the summer which resulted in her amazing season.
“Millie put an enormous amount of effort into her preseason fitness and also worked on her hands in traffic. She is always looking to improve herself as a footballer and sets a real example for her teammates with her work ethic,” he said.
Just behind her was runner-up Goss: the inside bull fell just short of Klingbeil’s mark, finishing up with 94 votes.
Goss might be left wondering what could have been if not for an injury she suffered early in Carlton’s Round 6 clash against Collingwood which ruled her out for three games.
Goss was extremely impressive in her debut season, with a large number of standout performances throughout the campaign.
Perhaps her most impactful game was in Round 2 where she finished up with 17 disposals, eight tackles and nine clearances and was the driving force in Carlton’s win over the Southern Saints.
Stafford says that it was Goss’s inside work that allowed her to shine in her first season with the Blues.
“There is no one tougher or more competitive in the midfield than Lily Goss. Lily is an amazing tackler, she has a great set of hands over her head for someone her size and she leads by example with her actions,” he said.
Following a barnstorming finish to the season, it was Madeleine Di Cosmo who took out third place in the count, ending up with 81 votes.
The young star had a terrific final five games in 2022, with her efforts in tough conditions down in Williamstown, where she ended up with 20 disposals and four clearances, being one of her standout games.
Stafford was impressed with Di Cosmo’s development throughout the season.
“She had an outstanding first season at Carlton which saw her get better every week. Maddi is a lovely kid, and she is a great decision maker with footy in hand,” he said.
There were other awards during the night, with Di Cosmo named Rising Star, alongside Bryannen Gurr (Coaches Award) and Ashlee Thorneycroft (Bagger of the Year).
- Rising Star: Madeleine Di Cosmo
- Coaches Award: Bryannen Gurr
- Bagger of the Year: Ashlee Thorneycroft
- VFLW Best and Fairest: Amelia Klingbeil
- VFLW Runner Up Best and Fairest: Lily Goss
- VFLW Third Best and Fairest: Madeleine Di Cosmo
Top vote-getters:
Amelia Kingbeil - 100 votes
Lily Goss - 94 votes
Madeline Di Cosmo - 81 votes
Bryannen Gurr - 74 votes
Jorja Borg - 68 votes
Nadia Moore - 67 votes
Benjamin Hann is a student at La Trobe University, undergoing his Bachelor of Media and Communications (Sports Journalism). He is currently undertaking an internship at the Carlton Football Club as part of its partnership with La Trobe University.
